Gas burner assembly for a gas hob, gas hob and gas oven

ABSTRACT

A gas burner assembly for a gas hob includes a gas burner fed with gas via a gas line. Attached to the gas line is a gas control valve which is infinitely variably to control or shut off a gas volume flow to the gas burner, and downstream of the gas control valve a gas switching valve having a constantly open fluid duct and a closable fluid duct. The gas switching valve is selectively switchable between a first switching state in which the closable fluid duct is closed and a maximum gas volume flow to the gas burner is restricted by a cross-section of the constantly open fluid duct of the gas switching valve, and a second switching state in which the closable fluid duct is open and the maximum gas volume flow to the gas burner is restricted by a cross-section of a burner nozzle of the gas burner.

The present invention relates to a gas burner assembly for a gas hob, agas hob and a gas oven.

A gas burner assembly of a gas hob can comprise a gas burner, a firstgas valve and a first gas line. The preferably controllable first gasvalve can be connected to the gas burner with the help of the first gasline. To increase a maximum heat output of the gas burner, for examplein order to bring water to the boil fast, the gas burner assembly cancomprise a second gas valve connected in parallel to the first gasvalve, which with the help of a second gas line is connected to the gasburner. Both gas valves can in this case be connected to a main gas lineof the gas hob. For example, in its normal operating state the first gasvalve is associated with the gas burner, enabling the flow of gas to thegas burner to be controlled. In the normal operating state the secondgas valve is preferably closed. In a second operating state of the knowngas burner assembly, in particular in a so-called booster operatingstate, the second gas valve is open and gas is also supplied to the gasburner via the second gas line in addition to the gas supplied via thefirst gas line. This means the maximum heat output of the gas burner inthe booster operating state is increased in comparison with its maximumheat output in the normal operating state.

Against this background one task of the present invention is to makeavailable an improved gas burner assembly.

Accordingly proposed is a gas burner assembly for a gas hob having a gasburner, a gas line which is designed to supply gas to the gas burner, agas control valve which is attached to the gas line and is designedinfinitely variably to control or shut off a gas volume flow to the gasburner, and a gas switching valve attached to the gas line downstream ofthe gas control valve. The gas switching valve can optionally beswitched between two different switching states, wherein the gasswitching valve has a constantly open fluid duct and a closable fluidduct, wherein in a first switching state of the gas switching valve theclosable fluid duct is closed and a maximum gas volume flow to the gasburner is restricted by a cross-section of the constantly open fluidduct of the gas switching valve, and wherein in a second switching stateof the gas switching valve the closable fluid duct is open and themaximum gas volume flow to the gas burner is restricted by across-section of a burner nozzle of the gas burner.

The gas control valve is preferably connected to a main gas line of thegas hob. The cross-section of the constantly open fluid duct ispreferably a cross-section surface of the constantly open fluid duct.This can also be referred to as a bypass duct. The cross-section of theburner nozzle is preferably a cross-section surface of the burnernozzle. The burner nozzle in this case means the smallest cross-sectionor the largest constriction in the flow path between the gas switchingvalve and the outlet openings of the gas burner. The burner nozzle canfor example be a mixer nozzle of the gas burner. The gas switching valvecan have a valve housing, in which both the fluid ducts are provided.The constantly open or first fluid duct of the gas switching valve is inparticular designed as a so-called bypass duct of the gas switchingvalve. This means gas can flow constantly through the first fluid ductof the gas switching valve regardless of the switching state of the gasswitching valve. Only if the upstream gas control valve is closed doesno gas flow through the first fluid duct. The first fluid duct has apredetermined, invariable cross-section, through which in the firstswitching state of the gas switching valve a defined gas volume flowflows. The first fluid duct thus forms a first, invariable constrictionpoint of the gas switching valve. In the first switching state of thegas switching valve the nominal maximum heat output of the gas burner isrestricted by the cross-section of the first fluid duct. To this end thecross-section of the first fluid duct is in particular smaller than thecross-section of the burner nozzle.

The closable or second fluid duct can optionally be open or closed. Thegas switching valve, in particular the second fluid duct, is preferablydesigned as an open-close valve. This means that the second fluid ductis optionally either completely closed or completely open. The secondfluid duct thus forms a second, variable constriction point of the gasswitching valve. In the second switching state the nominal maximum heatoutput of the gas burner is restricted by the cross-section of theburner nozzle. The cross-sections of the second fluid duct and of thefirst fluid duct together are preferably larger than the cross-sectionof the burner nozzle.

With the help of the gas control valve and the gas switching valve twodifferent operating stages of the gas burner can in particular beachieved. The first switching state of the gas switching valve, in whichthe valve flow through the gas switching valve takes place only throughthe first fluid duct, corresponds to a normal mode of the gas burner.The second switching state of the gas switching valve, in which thevalve flow through the gas switching valve takes place through the firstand simultaneously through the second fluid duct, corresponds to aso-called booster mode of the gas burner.

Because the gas control valve and the gas switching valve are arrangedin series, it is possible to dispense with a parallel arrangement ofboth the gas valves with two gas lines and a complex coordination andactuation of the gas valves in order to achieve sufficient control ofthe heat output of the gas burner. The above-described gas burnerassembly is thus less complex and less prone to faults than known gasburner assemblies with two gas valves connected in parallel. The normalmode with a constricted flow of the gas control valve and only of thebypass duct defines the nominal heat output levels for the connected gasburner. In booster mode no constriction of the gas flow between gascontrol valve and gas burner takes place.

According to one embodiment the closable fluid duct can be closed withthe help of a displaceable closure element.

The closure element is preferably accommodated in the valve housing ofthe gas switching valve. The closure element can be a so-called plugvalve or a sealing cone. Furthermore the closure element can be athrottle valve or a throttle ball. The closure element can be moved froman open state, which corresponds to the second switching state of thegas switching valve, to a closed state, which corresponds to the firstswitching state of the gas switching valve. The closure element can becoupled to an actuation element, which projects out of the valvehousing. With the help of the closure element the gas switching valvecan be quickly switched back and forth between both its switchingstates. This makes it possible to switch quickly from normal mode tobooster mode or vice versa.

According to another embodiment the gas switching valve is a solenoidvalve, which with the help of a magnet can be optionally switchedbetween the first switching state and the second switching state.

This makes a simple actuation of the gas switching valve possible, sincethe latter can be actuated remotely with the help of the magnet.

According to another embodiment the magnet is an electromagnet.

The electromagnet can preferably be switched by means of a switchprovided on the hob. This ensures convenient operation of the gasswitching valve. Alternatively the magnet can be a permanent magnet.

According to another embodiment the magnet is designed to move theclosure element of the gas switching valve.

The magnet can for example be a linear or a rotary electromagnet. Amagnetic force of the magnet preferably acts on the closure element.

According to another embodiment the gas burner assembly has a connectingpiece of the gas line, which fluidically connects the gas control valveto the gas switching valve.

The connecting piece is preferably an aluminum pipe. The connectingpiece in particular connects a gas outlet of the gas control valve to agas inlet of the gas switching valve. The connecting piece can be boltedto the gas control valve and to the gas switching valve with the help ofunion nuts. This ensures a secure and fluidically tight connection ofthe gas valves.

According to another embodiment the connecting piece has a connectionelement, which is designed to be complementary to a connection flange ofthe gas switching valve.

The connection element is preferably bolted to the connecting piece. Theconnection element can be bolted to the connection flange of the gasswitching valve. The gas switching valve is preferably a standardcomponent. The connection flange of the gas switching valve is inparticular designed to be connected to the main gas line of the gas hob.With the help of the connection element the gas switching valve can beconnected without further modifications to the connecting piece. Thismeans the gas burner assembly can be manufactured economically.

According to another embodiment the gas burner assembly has a sealingfacility which is arranged between the connection element and theconnection flange.

The sealing facility is preferably flexible. With the help of thesealing facility a fluidically tight connection between the connectionelement and the connection flange is ensured.

Furthermore, a gas hob with such a gas burner assembly is proposed.

The gas hob can have a hob baseplate, in or on which the gas burner ismounted. Furthermore, the gas hob can have a hotplate.

Furthermore, a gas oven with such a gas burner assembly and/or such agas hob is proposed.

The gas oven is preferably a household device.

Further possible implementations of the invention also includecombinations, not explicitly mentioned, of features or embodimentsdescribed above or below in respect of the exemplary embodiments. Inthis case the person skilled in the art will also add individual aspectsas improvements or additions to the respective basic form of theinvention.

Further advantageous embodiments and aspects of the invention form thesubject matter of the subclaims and of the exemplary embodiments of theinvention described below. In what follows the invention is explained ingreater detail on the basis of preferred embodiments with reference tothe appended figures.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a gas burner assembly for agas hob;

FIG. 2 shows a schematic perspective view of a gas switching valve ofthe gas burner assembly according to FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 shows a schematic partial section view of the gas switching valveaccording to FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a schematic perspective view of a connection element of thegas burner assembly according to FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of the connection element according toFIG. 4.

In the figures equivalent or functionally equivalent elements areprovided with the same reference characters, unless specified otherwise.

FIG. 1 shows a schematic perspective view of a gas burner assembly 1 fora gas hob 2. The gas burner assembly 1 has a gas burner 3 and a gas line4, which is designed to supply gas to the gas burner 3. The gas can forexample be natural gas, propane gas, town gas or similar. The gas burnerassembly 1 can furthermore have a gas control valve 5 which is attachedto the gas line 4 and which is designed infinitely variably to controlor shut off a gas volume flow to the gas burner 3. The gas control valve5 comprises a valve housing 6 with a gas outlet 7 and a gas inlet 8. Thegas inlet 8 has a connection flange 9, with which the gas control valve5 can be connected to a main gas line of the gas hob 2. Furthermore, thegas control valve 5 has an actuation element 10. A rotary knob can beattached to the actuation element 10.

A gas switching valve 11 is attached to the gas line 4 downstream inrespect of the gas control valve 5. The gas switching valve 11 shown ina schematic perspective view in FIG. 2 has a valve housing 12 with a gasinlet 13 and a gas outlet 14. The gas switching valve 11 is preferably asolenoid valve, which with the help of a magnet 15 can optionally beswitched between a first switching state and a second switching state.The magnet 15 is preferably an electromagnet. The magnet 15 canalternatively be a permanent magnet. The magnet 15 can preferably beactivated or deactivated with the help of a switch provided on the gashob 2. The gas inlet 13 preferably has a connection flange 16 which isdesigned to be connected to the main gas line.

FIG. 3 shows the valve housing 12 of the gas switching valve 11 in aschematic partial section view. The gas switching valve 11 has a firstor constantly open fluid duct 17 and a second or closable fluid duct 18.The first fluid duct 17 is a first, invariable constriction point of thegas switching valve 11. Gas only ever flows through the first fluid duct17 if the gas control valve 5 is completely closed. The second fluidduct 18 is a second, variable constriction point of the gas switchingvalve 11. Preferably the closable fluid duct 18 can be closed with thehelp of a displaceable closure element 19. The closure element 19 can berotatably mounted in the valve housing 12. The closure element 19 can bea throttle valve, a throttle ball, a valve cone, a plug valve orsimilar. The closable fluid duct 18 is in particular an open-closevalve. The magnet 15 is designed to displace the closure element 19.

In the first switching state of the gas switching valve 11 the closablefluid duct 18 is closed and a maximum gas volume flow to the gas burner3 is restricted by a cross-section, in particular a cross-sectionsurface, of the constantly open fluid duct 17 of the gas switching valve11. This corresponds to the normal mode of the gas burner 3 or the gashob 2. Preferably the cross-section of the constantly open fluid duct 17is smaller than a cross-section, in particular a cross-section surface,of a burner nozzle 20 of the gas burner 3. The burner nozzle 20 in thiscase means the smallest cross-section or the largest constriction in theflow path between the gas switching valve 11 and the outlet openings ofthe gas burner 3. The burner nozzle 20 can be a mixer nozzle of the gasburner 3. The heat output of the gas burner 3 can be controlled with thehelp of the gas control valve 5. In the first switching state the gasflows through the gas switching valve 11 only in the first fluid duct17.

In the second switching state of the gas switching valve 11 the closablefluid duct 18 is open, in particular completely open. The maximum gasvolume flow to the gas burner 3 is restricted by the cross-section ofthe burner nozzle 20. Preferably the cross-section of the burner nozzle20 is smaller than the cross-section surfaces of the fluid ducts 17, 18together. The heat output of the gas burner 3 can be controlled in thesecond switching state with the help of the gas control valve 5. In thesecond switching state the gas flows through the gas switching valve 11in the first fluid duct 17 and in the second fluid duct 18simultaneously. This corresponds to the booster mode of the gas burner 3or the gas hob 2.

The gas line 4 has a first connecting piece 21 which fluidicallyconnects the gas valves 5, 11 to one another, and a second connectingpiece 22 which connects the gas switching valve 11 fluidically to thegas burner 3. The second connecting piece 22 can be designed as adeveloped pipe section. The second connecting piece 22 can be connectedusing a union nut 23, 24 in each case to the gas outlet 14 of the gasswitching valve 11 and a connection flange 25 of the gas burner 3.

The first connecting piece 21 is preferably a straight pipe section. Thefirst connecting piece 21 can be an aluminum pipe. With the help of aunion nut 26 the first connecting piece 21 can be connected to the gasoutlet 7 of the gas control valve 5. At an end section 27 of the firstconnecting piece 21 facing away from the gas outlet 7 said connectingpiece 21 has a connection element 28, which is designed to becomplementary to the connection flange 16 of the gas switching valve 11.

FIG. 4 shows the connection element 28 in a schematic perspective view.FIG. 5 shows the connection element 28 in a schematic view. The firstconnecting piece 21 is connected to the connection element 28 with thehelp of a union nut 29. Preferably the end section 27 projects throughthe connecting piece 28 into the gas inlet 13 of the gas switching valve11. For this purpose a cut-out 30 is provided in the connection element28. The connection element 28 has an attachment section 31, to which thefirst connecting piece 21 is attached, and an arc-shaped sealing section32, which is designed to correspond to the connection flange 16 of thegas switching valve 11.

A sealing facility 33 can be provided between the sealing section 32 andthe connection flange 16. A recess 34 which penetrates the connectionelement 28 is provided between the sealing section 32 and the attachmentsection 31. The connection element 28 can have two lateral mountingsections 35, 36, which each comprise a through-hole 37, 38. Theconnection flange 16 can have tapped holes 39, 40 corresponding to thethrough-holes 37, 38. Attachment elements, such as screws for example,can be screwed into the connection flange 16 through the through-holes37, 38, in order to attach the connection element 28 to the gasswitching valve 11.

A gas oven 41 can have such a gas burner assembly 1 and/or such a gashob 2. The gas oven 41 is preferably a household device.

Although the present invention has been described on the basis ofexemplary embodiments, it can be modified in diverse ways.

REFERENCE CHARACTERS USED

1 Gas burner assembly

2 Gas hob

3 Gas burner

4 Gas line

5 Gas control valve

6 Valve housing

7 Gas outlet

8 Gas inlet

9 Connection flange

10 Actuation element

11 Gas switching valve

12 Valve housing

13 Gas inlet

14 Gas outlet

15 Magnet

16 Connection flange

17 Fluid duct

18 Fluid duct

19 Closure element

20 Burner nozzle

21 Connecting piece

22 Connecting piece

23 Union nut

24 Union nut

25 Connection flange

26 Union nut

27 End section

28 Connection element

29 Union nut

30 Cut-out

31 Attachment section

32 Sealing section

33 Sealing facility

34 Recess

35 Mounting section

36 Mounting section

37 Through-hole

38 Through-hole

39 Tapped hole

40 Tapped hole

41 Gas oven

1-10. (canceled)
 11. A gas burner assembly for a gas hob, comprising: agas burner, a gas line configured to feed gas to the gas burner, a gascontrol valve attached to the gas line and configured infinitelyvariably to control or shut off a gas volume flow to the gas burner, anda gas switching valve attached to the gas line downstream of the gascontrol valve and including a constantly open fluid duct and a closablefluid duct, said gas switching valve selectively switchable between afirst switching state in which the closable fluid duct is closed and amaximum gas volume flow to the gas burner is restricted by across-section of the constantly open fluid duct of the gas switchingvalve, and a second switching state in which the closable fluid duct isopen and the maximum gas volume flow to the gas burner is restricted bya cross-section of a burner nozzle of the gas burner.
 12. The gas burnerassembly of claim 11, further comprising a displaceable closure elementconfigured to close the closable fluid duct.
 13. The gas burner assemblyof claim 11, wherein the gas switching valve is a solenoid valve havinga magnet via which the gas switching valve is selectively switchablebetween the first switching state and the second switching state. 14.The gas burner assembly of claim 13, wherein the magnet is anelectromagnet.
 15. The gas burner assembly of claim 13, furthercomprising a displaceable closure element configured to close theclosable fluid duct, said magnet being configured to displace theclosure element of the gas switching valve.
 16. The gas burner assemblyof claim 11, wherein the gas line has a connecting piece, whichfluidically connects the gas control valve to the gas switching valve.17. The gas burner assembly of claim 16, wherein the gas switching valvehas a connection flange, said connecting piece having a connectionelement configured to complement the connection flange of the gasswitching valve.
 18. The gas burner assembly of claim 17, furthercomprising a sealing facility, arranged between the connection elementand the connection flange.
 19. A gas hob, comprising a gas burnerassembly which includes a gas burner, a gas line configured to feed gasto the gas burner, a gas control valve attached to the gas line andconfigured infinitely variably to control or shut off a gas volume flowto the gas burner, and a gas switching valve attached to the gas linedownstream of the gas control valve and including a constantly openfluid duct and a closable fluid duct, said gas switching valveselectively switchable between a first switching state in which theclosable fluid duct is closed and a maximum gas volume flow to the gasburner is restricted by a cross-section of the constantly open fluidduct of the gas switching valve, and a second switching state in whichthe closable fluid duct is open and the maximum gas volume flow to thegas burner is restricted by a cross-section of a burner nozzle of thegas burner.
 20. The gas hob of claim 19, wherein the gas burner assemblyincludes a displaceable closure element configured to close the closablefluid duct.
 21. The gas hob of claim 19, wherein the gas switching valveis a solenoid valve having a magnet via which the gas switching valve isselectively switchable between the first switching state and the secondswitching state.
 22. The gas hob of claim 21, wherein the magnet is anelectromagnet.
 23. The gas hob of claim 21, wherein the gas burnerassembly includes a displaceable closure element configured to close theclosable fluid duct, said magnet being configured to displace theclosure element of the gas switching valve.
 24. The gas hob of claim 19,wherein the gas line has a connecting piece, which fluidically connectsthe gas control valve to the gas switching valve.
 25. The gas hob ofclaim 24, wherein the gas switching valve has a connection flange, saidconnecting piece having a connection element configured to complementthe connection flange of the gas switching valve.
 26. The gas hob ofclaim 25, wherein the gas burner assembly includes a sealing facility,arranged between the connection element and the connection flange.
 27. Agas oven, comprising a gas hob comprising a gas burner assembly whichincludes a gas burner, a gas line configured to feed gas to the gasburner, a gas control valve attached to the gas line and configuredinfinitely variably to control or shut off a gas volume flow to the gasburner, and a gas switching valve attached to the gas line downstream ofthe gas control valve and including a constantly open fluid duct and aclosable fluid duct, said gas switching valve selectively switchablebetween a first switching state in which the closable fluid duct isclosed and a maximum gas volume flow to the gas burner is restricted bya cross-section of the constantly open fluid duct of the gas switchingvalve, and a second switching state in which the closable fluid duct isopen and the maximum gas volume flow to the gas burner is restricted bya cross-section of a burner nozzle of the gas burner.